This Methodology Determination (method) provides the rules for crediting emissions reductions to landholders who establish permanent (non-harvest) forest through planting a mixture of native species, or mallee trees. As part of the Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF), crediting is based on carbon sequestered in the trees as they grow.
Using the method
To use this method and take part in the ERF, you need to apply to the Clean Energy Regulator. The Regulator develops the methods and manages project registration, compliance, and crediting emissions reductions for projects under the ERF.
Visit the Regulator’s website for:
- information on the method and how to use it
- project planning guidance, including eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Calculating the abatement
Project proponents must use the Full Carbon Accounting Model (FullCAM) software to calculate the carbon abatement of their projects.
There is specific guidance for using FullCAM with this method:
Read the FullCAM Guidelines for the Reforestation by Environmental or Mallee Plantings method [4.7MB PDF] [4.8MB DOCX]. (includes both options of 2020 FullCAM Public Release).
Download FullCAM.
Project proponents need to meet the requirements of the Carbon Farming Initiative (CFI) Mapping Guidelines for mapping project areas and carbon estimation areas.
Read the CFI Mapping Guidelines
This method allows use of specific FullCAM growth calibrations that are only valid in defined spatial areas. Further detail is available in the method’s FullCAM Guidelines.
Where project proponents establish mallee the land must receive long-term average rainfall of 600 millimetres or less, as determined by the Long Term Average Rainfall Map Layer.
View the environmental data on data.gov.au for the Long Term Average Rainfall Map Layer and layers for the spatial domains of specific FullCAM growth calibrations.
Consultation on the method
The Emissions Reduction Assurance Committee (ERAC) conducts public consultation before giving advice about making or varying a method. Once finalised the ERAC advises the Minister on whether the new or varied method meets the offsets integrity standards.
The original method was endorsed by the Domestic Offsets Integrity Committee (DOIC). The DOIC operated from 2010 until 2014 when it was replaced by the ERAC.
Read the DOIC’s advice to the Minister on making the method in 2014 [106KB PDF] [47KB DOC]
See the public consultation and method draft on the Australian Government Trove archive.
A minor variation was made to the method in 2015. ERAC advice is not required for minor variations.
A minor variation to the method was also made in 2018 and to 6 other methods to reflect the retirement of the online Carbon Farming Initiative Mapping Tool (CFI Mapping Tool).
Read more
- Development of the specific growth curve calibrations in this methodology determination was informed by a CSIRO lead research project.
- Environmental data—including forest cover data layers and the CFI rainfall map—is available on data.gov.au
- This method is enabled by the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Act 2011 which also enables the 2015 Rule and 2011 Regulations.
- Read about the Emissions Reduction Fund, including our department’s role.
- Read more about method development and available methods.
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